Investigation of the Relationship Between Malpractice Fear and Job Satisfaction Among Emergency Physicians

Abstract

Background: The number of physicians sued for malpractice is increasing, and this situation causes a fear of malpractice in physicians. The aim of this study is to determine the malpractice fear and the level of job satisfaction among emergency physicians and to examine the relationship between these factors. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study has been conducted with emergency physicians at four different training and research hospitals in Ankara, Türkiye. Malpractice fear and job satisfaction have been evaluated with Malpractice Fear Scale (MFS) and Job Satisfaction Scale (JSS). Questionnaire method was used in the study. Results: The research has been completed with 143 physicians [mean age: 33.10±7.0 years, age range: 24-51 years, male: 107 (74.8%)]. It was found that 19.5% of the participants were reported for malpractice, 11.8% were sued, and no one was penalized. It has been determined that the participants scored 3.6±0.9 points on the MFS and 2.4±0.7 points on the JSS in 1-5 point range. A negative, moderate, and statistically significant correlation has been found between the MFS and the JSS (r= -0.551; p<0.01). Conclusion: In our study, it has been found that emergency physicians have a high level of malpractice fear and a low level of job satisfaction. There is no statistically significant difference in the level of malpractice fear and job satisfaction according to the sociodemographic characteristics of the participants. Increased fear of malpractice decreases the job satisfaction.

Keywords

• Emergency department
• physician
• malpractice fear
• job satisfaction.

Acil Servis Hekimlerinin Malpraktis Korkusu ile İş Tatmini Arasındaki İlişkinin İncelenmesi

Abstract

Amaç: Malpraktis nedeniyle dava edilen hekim sayısı artmakta ve bu durum hekimlerde malpraktis korkusuna neden olmaktadır. Bu çalışmada acil servis hekimlerinin malpraktis korkusu ve iş tatmin düzeylerinin belirlenmesi ve aralarındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Gereç-Yöntem: Kesitsel nitelikteki bu araştırma, Ankara-Türkiye’de bulunan dört farklı eğitim ve araştırma hastanesinde gerçekleştirilmiştir. Malpraktis korkusu ve iş tatmini Malpraktis Korku Ölçeği (MKÖ) ve İş Tatmini Ölçeği (İTÖ) ile değerlendirilmiştir. Araştırmada anket yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Bulgular: Araştırma 143 hekim ile tamamlanmıştır [ortalama yaş: 33,10±7,0 yıl, yaş aralığı: 24-51 yıl, erkek: 107 (%74,8)]. Katılımcıların %19.5’inin malpraktis nedeniyle şikayet edildiği, %11.8’inin dava edildiği, ceza alanın olmadığı bulunmuştur. Katılımcıların 1-5 puan aralığında MKÖ’den 3,6±0,9, İTÖ’den 2,4±0,7 puan aldığı tespit edilmiştir. MKÖ ve İTÖ arasında negatif yönde, orta düzeyde ve istatistiksel olarak anlamlı korelasyon bulunmuştur (r= -0,551; p<0,01). Sonuç: Araştırmamızda acil servis hekimlerinin malpraktis korkularının yüksek, iş tatmin düzeylerinin ise düşük olduğu bulunmuştur. Katılımcıların sosyodemografik özelliklerine göre malpraktis korku ve iş tatmin düzeylerinde istatistiksel olarak anlamlı farklılık yoktur. Malpraktis korkusunun artması iş tatminini azaltmaktadır.

Keywords

• Acil servis
• hekim
• malpraktis korkusu
• iş tatmini.

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